NIH Rare Diseases:42 Alopecia universalis (au)Â is a condition characterized by complete loss of hair on the scalp and body. it is a severe form ofÂ alopecia areata, which refers to hair loss of unknown cause characterized by round patches of complete baldness. Â alopecia universalis is thought to be an autoimmune condition that occurs in some genetically-predisposed people. hair loss occurs when a person's immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. there are currently no treatments known to be effective for alopecia universalis, but sometimes hair regrowth occurs on it's own, even after many years.
last updated: 8/26/2014